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diph·thong noun : two vowel sounds joined in one syllable to form one speech sound (as ou in out)

dip·loid adjective : having two haploid sets of chromosomes <~ somatic cells>

— diploid noun

di·plo·ma noun, plural diplomas : an official record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by a school

di·plo·ma·cy noun 1 : the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations

2 : TACT

dip·lo·mat noun : one employed or skilled in diplomacy

— dip·lo·mat·ic adjective

di·plo·ma·tist noun : DIPLOMAT

dip·per noun 1 : any of a genus of birds that are related to the thrushes and are skilled in diving

2 : something (as a ladle or scoop) that dips or is used for dipping

3 cap : BIG DIPPER

4 cap : LITTLE DIPPER

dip·so·ma·nia noun : an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors

— dip·so·ma·ni·ac noun

dip·stick noun : a graduated rod for indicating depth

dip·ter·an adjective : of, relating to, or being a fly (sense 2)

— dipteran noun

— dip·ter·ous adjective

dir abbreviation 1 direction

2 director

dire adjective dir·er; dir·est 1 : very horrible : DREADFUL

2 : warning of disaster

3 : EXTREME

4 : demanding immediate action to fend off disastrous consequences

Synonyms

[1] dreadful, fearful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightful, hair-raising, horrible, redoubtable, scary, shocking, terrible, terrifying—more at FEARFUL

[2] baleful, foreboding, menacing, ominous, portentous, sinister—more at OMINOUS

[4] acute, critical, imperative, imperious, instant, pressing, urgent—more at ACUTE

1direct verb 1 : ADDRESS <~ a letter>; also : to impart orally : AIM <~ a remark to the gallery>

2 : to regulate the activities or course of : guide the supervision, organizing, or performance of

3 : to cause to turn, move, or point or to follow a certain course

4 : to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course

5 : to request or instruct with authority

6 : to show or point out the way

Synonyms

[2] administer, carry on, conduct, control, govern, guide, handle, manage, operate, oversee, regulate, run, superintend, supervise—more at CONDUCT

[3] aim, bend, cast, head, level, set, train—more at AIM

[5] command, decree, dictate, ordain, order

[5] bid, boss, charge, command, enjoin, instruct, order, tell—more at COMMAND

[6] conduct, guide, lead, marshal, pilot, route, show, steer, usher—more at LEAD

2direct adjective 1 : stemming immediately from a source <~ result>

2 : being or passing in a straight line of descent : LINEAL <~ ancestor>

3 : leading from one point to another in time or space without turn or stop : STRAIGHT

4 : free from evasiveness or obscurity : STRAIGHTFORWARD

5 : operating without an intervening agency or step <~ action>

6 : effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives <~ democracy>

7 : consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer

Synonyms

[1] firsthand, immediate, primary; also clinical

Antonyms

indirect, secondhand

[4] candid, forthright, foursquare, frank, honest, open, outspoken, plain, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved—more at FRANK

3direct adverb : in a direct way

Synonyms

dead, directly, due, plump, right, straight—more at DIRECTLY

direct deposit noun : a method of payment in which money is transferred to the payee's account without the use of checks or cash

direct broadcast satellite noun : a television broadcasting system in which satellite transmissions are received at the viewing location

direct current noun : an electric current flowing in one direction only

di·rec·tion noun 1 : guidance or supervision of action or conduct : MANAGEMENT

2 : an explicit instruction : COMMAND

3 : the course or line along which something moves, lies, or points

4 : TENDENCY, TREND

— di·rec·tion·al adjective

Synonyms

administration, conduct, control, government, guidance, management, operation, oversight, regulation, running, superintendence,